Achieving the close to the national average (68.8 per cent) came as a relief to staff and the 240 year 11 pupils alike, as 68 per cent of entries resulted in a C or above.

Principal Steve Playford said: “We’ve had students who have done extremely well with A and A* grades and all our students are leaving with a qualification, which shows how truly inclusive and comprehensive we are as a college.

“In terms of progress, our students have held their own. I want to say that our students and staff have worked incredibly hard this year, having faced a lot of changes mid course.”

He explained that the speaking and listening elements to the English Edexcel GSCE had been dropped after students had completed them in year 10.

Mr Playford added: “There’s a lot of turbulence nationally and this year it was extremely difficult to predict how individuals would score. Because of the changes, this year’s results could not be compared to last year’s. I’m always looking for outstanding so there’s room for improvement.”

Eighteen students scored eight or more A to A* grades including Beth Hamilton who was celebrating her 16th birthday.